Why the Oakland Raiders are Making the NFL Playoffs in 2015

Jan 16, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Jack Del Rio (center) poses with Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie (left) and owner Mark Davis and Raiders jersey at press conference to announce his hiring as Raiders head coach at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“Jack Del Rio Can Lead the Raiders to the Playoffs.”

Three weeks into the season you can already tell that this Raiders team is different. After getting blown out in Week 1 the Raiders followed it up with a come from behind win against the Baltimore Ravens. The next week they traveled to Cleveland and came out with an impressive victory. The Raiders hadn’t won in the Eastern Time Zone in their last 16 tries over the last five years. The “Same Ol’ Raiders” would have started the season 0-3 or possibly 0-10 like they did last season.

This team has won two games in a row despite playing without their starting safety, right tackle, and defensive tackle. They’ve had to scramble to put a secondary together over the last two weeks. Taylor Mays started at safety in Week 2 a few days after being signed and didn’t play in Week 3 because the coaching staff opted to start TJ Carrie, their best cornerback, at safety.

The Raiders are allowing the most yards in the league and the 5th most points in the league. They’ve played 3 teams from the AFC North which sent three teams to the playoffs last year and they’re sitting at 2-1. There’s no doubt this team is different and it’s because of this coaching staff. New facilities have been built because of Del Rio and the players are responding and buying into his leadership and so far it’s paying off. That’s why this team can make the playoffs in 2015.

Next: Just a few more Reasons